Kia is planning to introduce mass-market electric vehicles for the Indian market next year. Ho Sung Song, President & CEO of Kia, made a significant announcement during the CEO Investor Day 2024, revealing plans to introduce two mass-market EVs in India within the next 18 months. One of the eagerly anticipated models is the Kia EV9, slated for launch later this year. Additionally, the company disclosed that the Carens EV is among the planned offerings for the Indian market. Although Song refrained from divulging details about the second model, speculation suggests it could be the Clavis EV.
These new models will be launched in the second half of 2025. Kia’s commitment to electrification extends beyond the Indian subcontinent. The company outlined an ambitious roadmap encompassing EVs, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and Purpose-Built Vehicles (PBVs). By 2027, Kia aims to introduce 15 new EV models, starting with the EV3 this year, followed by the EV2, EV4, and EV5. Kia is aiming to achieve sales of 587,000 units of mass-market EVs by 2026, constituting 66% of total EV sales.
Looking further ahead, Kia targets 1.6 million EV sales by 2030, necessitating a significant increase from 2024 levels. The company envisions a remarkable shift in the composition of EV sales across major markets, with projections indicating a growth from 13% in 2024 to 52% by 2030. Notably, Kia anticipates substantial market penetration in regions like North America, Europe, and its home market of Korea, with the latter poised to reach up to 40% EV sales by 2030.